It’s good to know we’re not alone, isn’t it? We who profess Christ by faith belong to a family, the family of God. I am “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12.1). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all the angelic hosts, departed saints including St. Paul himself, my dear wife, as well as every living believer… this entire “great cloud of witnesses,” while “absent in body” is nevertheless together “in spirit.” Amazing! 

“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ,” (Colossians 2.5). 

“…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light,” (Colossians 1.12). 

Believe me, if I qualify for such an eternal inheritance and home in heaven, so would you!

Paul’s secret was not about how to achieve success, survive loss, or endure suffering. His secret was about learning to be content in any and every circumstance. I desperately need God’s grace to learn that little secret.

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4.11-13). 

I bobble the ball on occasion... say the wrong thing, regret a decision, irritate a friend, jump to conclusions, lack sensitivity, act without grace, behave selfishly, choose self over others, etc., etc. It’s hard to make a comeback after an error. But Christ commands me to forever forget “what lies behind and reaching forward” go for the big win “ahead.” Until then I must “keep living by the same standard” of faith and performance to which I have already “attained,” (Philippians 3.13b; 16).

Missionaries risk their lives (their comfort, ambitions, financial well-being, and physical welfare) for the sake of the gospel. But that's not all. They go on behalf of others who cannot. Paul’s words regarding Epaphroditus imply that individual missionaries represent larger groups of Christians who remain home. They possess a special calling to forsake personal happiness for the joy that comes from higher level service.

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.” 

“Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me,” (Philippians 2.25, 29-30 NIV ).

This podcast is an overview of week 36 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: Proverbs 12 – 28; Philippians 2 – 4; Colossians 1 - 2.

Life or death? Tough choice. Or, is it? Not for me. I’d rather live. I have a fabulous family, a profitable career, wonderful neighbors, and good friends. I am happy. I’d rather live.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”

I am assaulted by the “flaming arrows of the evil one” every single day (Ephesians 6.11). Thoughts of failure, disappointment, and resignation crowd my mind. I sometimes question myself… my calling, my abilities, my resources, my resolve. “Do I have what it takes? Will I make it?”

In short, "Yes," I have everything it takes when I “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6.16). 

Here are some of my thoughts about time management based on practical advice found in Ephesians 5.15-16: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” 

1. Develop a Personal Mission Statement

2. Do the Hardest Thing First

3. Don’t Do What You Don’t Have To Do

The Bible teaches “…do not give the devil an opportunity.... Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,” (Ephesians 4.27, 30). 

When we fail to perform the above we “give the devil an opportunity” and “grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” In both cases the writer Paul says, “Do not” do that.

We know what not to do. Flipping the passage to say the same thing from a positive angle, we learn exactly what to do. Reverse the structure of both commands and convert the negative to achieve the same message positively. By substituting “the devil” with “the Holy Spirit of God” and removing “not,” we get…

‘Do grieve the devil and do give the Holy Spirit of God an opportunity!’